On Tuesday, I saw these beautiful cookies posted on Facebook by Sweet Sugarbelle, and thought those would be PERFECT for my Girl's Night Out Halloween Party!!  But, I ran out of time {between Tuesday evening and Thursday evening} so I had to cheat a little bit ~ OK a lot!! I was so inspired to recreate these cookies, so I did what I had to do!! I originally had every intention to follow Sweet Sugarbelle's Creepy Eyeball Cookies recipe to the T, but you know how that goes. 

These are Sweet Sugarbelle's version: {Beautiful} find the full recipe and directions here.

And my version!!!

 Sweet Sugarbelle's came out prettier and by far more professional looking, but my girlfriends at Girl's Night Out sure liked them and so did my family!! That's all that matters right? I would have LOVED to have my cookies look just like Sugarbelle's ~ one can dream right?? You have to check out Sugarbelle's blog & if you have a FB page please show her some love and tell her BellaGrey Designs sent you. 

Now, I'll share with you how I decorated my cookies:

I made a regular sugar cookie dough and cut out large round circles. I then, gathered these fun things for the cookies

I love the sparkle gel ~ it's just so fun. Anyway, first I outlined the cookie like this

Then filled it in like this

and spread the frosting so it covers the cookie

then I uesed the white frosting and made small dots all over the cookie

See the peaks ~ you don't want those {that's why you should follow Sugarbelle's directions}

Then I added the black gel to make the eyes

For the individual eyeballs, I used some leftover cookie dough and rolled them into small bite size balls. I used the white frosting for the "white" part of the eye, then placed an M&M on top and topped it with a small dot of black gel. If I would've had red gel, I could've made the cracks in the cookies red veins for bloodshot eyes ~ maybe next time! Wouldn't that be great!!

I hope you have a wonderful Halloween and if you make these wonderful creepy eyeball cookies, I'd love to see photos!!!

Have a Super Great Day!!1

xoxo,

                                                        

• Saturday, October 29, 2011

Halloween Eyeball Cookies

On Tuesday, I saw these beautiful cookies posted on Facebook by Sweet Sugarbelle, and thought those would be PERFECT for my Girl's Night Out Halloween Party!!  But, I ran out of time {between Tuesday evening and Thursday evening} so I had to cheat a little bit ~ OK a lot!! I was so inspired to recreate these cookies, so I did what I had to do!! I originally had every intention to follow Sweet Sugarbelle's Creepy Eyeball Cookies recipe to the T, but you know how that goes. 

These are Sweet Sugarbelle's version: {Beautiful} find the full recipe and directions here.

And my version!!!

 Sweet Sugarbelle's came out prettier and by far more professional looking, but my girlfriends at Girl's Night Out sure liked them and so did my family!! That's all that matters right? I would have LOVED to have my cookies look just like Sugarbelle's ~ one can dream right?? You have to check out Sugarbelle's blog & if you have a FB page please show her some love and tell her BellaGrey Designs sent you. 

Now, I'll share with you how I decorated my cookies:

I made a regular sugar cookie dough and cut out large round circles. I then, gathered these fun things for the cookies

I love the sparkle gel ~ it's just so fun. Anyway, first I outlined the cookie like this

Then filled it in like this

and spread the frosting so it covers the cookie

then I uesed the white frosting and made small dots all over the cookie

See the peaks ~ you don't want those {that's why you should follow Sugarbelle's directions}

Then I added the black gel to make the eyes

For the individual eyeballs, I used some leftover cookie dough and rolled them into small bite size balls. I used the white frosting for the "white" part of the eye, then placed an M&M on top and topped it with a small dot of black gel. If I would've had red gel, I could've made the cracks in the cookies red veins for bloodshot eyes ~ maybe next time! Wouldn't that be great!!

I hope you have a wonderful Halloween and if you make these wonderful creepy eyeball cookies, I'd love to see photos!!!

Have a Super Great Day!!1

xoxo,

                                                        

Read more »

Good morning to all of you!!! Hope you had a wonderful weekend!! We had a great weekend!! We live here in the Dallas area, both our football team {Dallas Cowboys} and our baseball team {Texas Rangers} won their games yesterday!! We are super excited!! 

Since it's pumpkin season and all, I thought I'd share a great Pumpkin Cookie recipe we made this weekend. 

The kids really liked them. That's always a bonus, since they're for my daughter's class, who's studying pumpkins this week! These cookies are so soft and chewy, and not overwhelming with pumpkin flavor. 

un-frosted cookies

frosted cookies

These are so delicious, you don't even know you're eating a cookie ~ so I ate one for breakfast!! hee hee

 Who says you can't eat cookies for breakfast? I'm not a coffee drinker, but I'm thinking if I was, these would be really yummy with it!! Do you have a pumpkin cookie recipe you'd like to share or do you think you'd be making these?? Would love to hear back from you. 

Hope you have a Super Great Day!!!

xoxo, 

                                                         

• Monday, October 24, 2011
• bellagrey designs

*Recipe* Old Fashioned Soft Pumpkin Cookies

Good morning to all of you!!! Hope you had a wonderful weekend!! We had a great weekend!! We live here in the Dallas area, both our football team {Dallas Cowboys} and our baseball team {Texas Rangers} won their games yesterday!! We are super excited!! 

Since it's pumpkin season and all, I thought I'd share a great Pumpkin Cookie recipe we made this weekend. 

The kids really liked them. That's always a bonus, since they're for my daughter's class, who's studying pumpkins this week! These cookies are so soft and chewy, and not overwhelming with pumpkin flavor. 

un-frosted cookies

frosted cookies

These are so delicious, you don't even know you're eating a cookie ~ so I ate one for breakfast!! hee hee

 Who says you can't eat cookies for breakfast? I'm not a coffee drinker, but I'm thinking if I was, these would be really yummy with it!! Do you have a pumpkin cookie recipe you'd like to share or do you think you'd be making these?? Would love to hear back from you. 

Hope you have a Super Great Day!!!

xoxo, 

                                                         

Read more »

I'd like to take this opportunity to share with you a great organization. This has nothing to do with party decor, but I think it's for a great awareness. A few years ago, one of my best friends was diagnosed with Postpartum Depression {PPD} after she had her first child. 

What is PPD you ask? According to Web MD:

Postpartum depression is a serious illness that can occur in the first few months after childbirth. It also can happen after miscarriage and stillbirth.

Postpartum depression can make you feel very sad, hopeless, and worthless. You may have trouble caring for and bonding with your baby.

Postpartum depression is not the "baby blues," which many women have in the first couple of weeks after childbirth. With the blues, you may have trouble sleeping and feel moody, teary, and overwhelmed. You may have these feelings along with being happy about your baby. But the "baby blues" usually go away within a couple of weeks. The symptoms of postpartum depression can last for months.

In rare cases, a woman may have a severe form of depression called postpartum psychosis. She may act strangely, see or hear things that aren't there, and be a danger to herself and her baby. This is an emergency, because it can quickly get worse and put her or others in danger.

It’s very important to get treatment for depression. The sooner you get treated, the sooner you'll feel better and enjoy your baby.

 I watched my friend go from being upbeat and spunky to not wanting to get out of bed or do any of the activities she so loved. She couldn't take care of her baby girl, so between friends and her husband we helped with the baby. This darkness took over her life for almost six months ~ the first six months of her daughter's life! I was able to help my friend through this darkness, due to the fact I had suffered with a very mild case of PPD, when my daughter was born. You can read my story and other's stories here. When the cloud lifted for my friend she had decided she needed to reach out to other women out there suffering from this terrible disease. That's when she and two other women joined forces and created Wings for Wellness ~ it's a non-profit organization who helps women get help for their PPD. They have  several links on their website for resources like: Psychiatrists; Therapists; Support Groups; Hot Lines and Literature. If you are suffering from this terrible disease or know someone who is, please contact Wings for Wellness. They can direct you in the right direction. Wings for Wellness is a local organization {Dallas, TX}, but if you need help, I'd start here and they can find someone to help you closer to your home. 

If you're local Wings for Wellness is holding their annual benefit concert and silent auction ~ Steve Holy is performing ~ on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 8pm ~ Sons of Hermann Hall {3414 Elm Street, Dallas}. For ticket information click here.

I know this is a downer subject, but it is very important to know there is help out there if you or someone you know needs it. Please pass this information on to friends and family. If you feel more comfortable leaving  me a comment, I'll make sure one of the girls from Wings for Wellness gets it. 

Thank you for taking time to read about this great organization. I hope you have a great day!!

xoxo,

                                                         

• Thursday, October 20, 2011

What is Wings for Wellness?

I'd like to take this opportunity to share with you a great organization. This has nothing to do with party decor, but I think it's for a great awareness. A few years ago, one of my best friends was diagnosed with Postpartum Depression {PPD} after she had her first child. 

What is PPD you ask? According to Web MD:

Postpartum depression is a serious illness that can occur in the first few months after childbirth. It also can happen after miscarriage and stillbirth.

Postpartum depression can make you feel very sad, hopeless, and worthless. You may have trouble caring for and bonding with your baby.

Postpartum depression is not the "baby blues," which many women have in the first couple of weeks after childbirth. With the blues, you may have trouble sleeping and feel moody, teary, and overwhelmed. You may have these feelings along with being happy about your baby. But the "baby blues" usually go away within a couple of weeks. The symptoms of postpartum depression can last for months.

In rare cases, a woman may have a severe form of depression called postpartum psychosis. She may act strangely, see or hear things that aren't there, and be a danger to herself and her baby. This is an emergency, because it can quickly get worse and put her or others in danger.

It’s very important to get treatment for depression. The sooner you get treated, the sooner you'll feel better and enjoy your baby.

 I watched my friend go from being upbeat and spunky to not wanting to get out of bed or do any of the activities she so loved. She couldn't take care of her baby girl, so between friends and her husband we helped with the baby. This darkness took over her life for almost six months ~ the first six months of her daughter's life! I was able to help my friend through this darkness, due to the fact I had suffered with a very mild case of PPD, when my daughter was born. You can read my story and other's stories here. When the cloud lifted for my friend she had decided she needed to reach out to other women out there suffering from this terrible disease. That's when she and two other women joined forces and created Wings for Wellness ~ it's a non-profit organization who helps women get help for their PPD. They have  several links on their website for resources like: Psychiatrists; Therapists; Support Groups; Hot Lines and Literature. If you are suffering from this terrible disease or know someone who is, please contact Wings for Wellness. They can direct you in the right direction. Wings for Wellness is a local organization {Dallas, TX}, but if you need help, I'd start here and they can find someone to help you closer to your home. 

If you're local Wings for Wellness is holding their annual benefit concert and silent auction ~ Steve Holy is performing ~ on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 8pm ~ Sons of Hermann Hall {3414 Elm Street, Dallas}. For ticket information click here.

I know this is a downer subject, but it is very important to know there is help out there if you or someone you know needs it. Please pass this information on to friends and family. If you feel more comfortable leaving  me a comment, I'll make sure one of the girls from Wings for Wellness gets it. 

Thank you for taking time to read about this great organization. I hope you have a great day!!

xoxo,

                                                         

Read more »

About a month ago, one of my girl friends contacted me to create a new collection for her daughter's 6th birthday. My friend wasn't sure what she wanted, all she knew was the party was going to be all girls. We had options ~ spa party, pajama party, bling party. Hot Pink, Black, White, Stripes, Glitter, Boas............all the elements of a Fashion Glam Party!! I created a topper with the colors she wanted and added some fun pink zebra and some black and white zebra to it. 

Additional party photos:

The girls getting Glammed up

Complete with nail polish, bling

and make-up!!

Each girl was treated to a make over as well as mini manicures!

The birthday girl loved getting pampered!!

Another one of the guests ~ closing her eyes before getting eye shadow applied. 

Then they're off to create a fun craft ~ designing their own sparkly photo frame!! What little girl doesn't like gems, jewels and all things sparkly? Not one of them complained at this party!!

Gotta love the fun Glam balloon with a boa topped shoe!

OK, now it's time for the 'models' to come down the runway to show off their gowns as well as their make overs :)

The girls had so much fun, running, dancing and playing with make-up, that when it was time to go, they didn't want to leave. 

My friend placed some of the toppers on a zebra print paper she had purchased and placed under the cupcake stand. 

I think this collection came out cute!! What do you think? Do you have any special requests for a new collection? I'd love to hear your ideas!! This new collection will be available in our Etsy Shop soon!! If you can't wait for it email me here and I'll create it for you!!!

Have a Super Great Day!!

xoxo,

                                                        

• Tuesday, October 18, 2011

* New * Fashion Glam Party Collection

About a month ago, one of my girl friends contacted me to create a new collection for her daughter's 6th birthday. My friend wasn't sure what she wanted, all she knew was the party was going to be all girls. We had options ~ spa party, pajama party, bling party. Hot Pink, Black, White, Stripes, Glitter, Boas............all the elements of a Fashion Glam Party!! I created a topper with the colors she wanted and added some fun pink zebra and some black and white zebra to it. 

Additional party photos:

The girls getting Glammed up

Complete with nail polish, bling

and make-up!!

Each girl was treated to a make over as well as mini manicures!

The birthday girl loved getting pampered!!

Another one of the guests ~ closing her eyes before getting eye shadow applied. 

Then they're off to create a fun craft ~ designing their own sparkly photo frame!! What little girl doesn't like gems, jewels and all things sparkly? Not one of them complained at this party!!

Gotta love the fun Glam balloon with a boa topped shoe!

OK, now it's time for the 'models' to come down the runway to show off their gowns as well as their make overs :)

The girls had so much fun, running, dancing and playing with make-up, that when it was time to go, they didn't want to leave. 

My friend placed some of the toppers on a zebra print paper she had purchased and placed under the cupcake stand. 

I think this collection came out cute!! What do you think? Do you have any special requests for a new collection? I'd love to hear your ideas!! This new collection will be available in our Etsy Shop soon!! If you can't wait for it email me here and I'll create it for you!!!

Have a Super Great Day!!

xoxo,

                                                        

Read more »

Do you make caramel apples this time of year? I haven't made them since I was a child and my daughter wanted to take them for a class project. 

Here are the supplies you'll need:

Caramels {one bag will cover about 5 medium apples}

Apples ~ we used Granny Smith

Colored sprinkles ~ anything to decorate the apples with 

Cookie Sticks or you can use Popsicle sticks

Candies {Candy Eyeballs and Skittles}

Butter

1/4 Cup Water

Waxed Paper

We found these cute and fun Candy Eyeballs by Wilton to add to our caramel apples. They made our apples come to "life". 

OK, first and foremost you MUST take a sheet of waxed paper and coat it with butter {make sure you put a lot of butter on the paper ~ if you don't the apples will stick} and there is nothing worse than seeing a child cry because the apples stuck to the waxed paper so badly it ripped the paper. Place the buttered waxed paper on a cookie sheet or if you have to transport them place them into the carrier of your choice ~ just make sure it will fit in the refrigerator.

Once you have buttered the paper, wash and dry your apples thoroughly {they should be at room temperature because caramel tends to slip off chilled apples}. Insert a stick into each apple. 

Empty the bag of caramels and add 1/4 cup of water into a microwave safe bowl. 

Microwave for approximately 1 minute on high ~ uncovered. Heat again for an additional 30-45 seconds or until caramels are melted and stir until smooth. 

Dip each apple into the caramel mix, turning to coat. We also used a spoon to help coat the apples. Take a spoon or knife to scrap the additional caramel off the bottom of the apples. Place on your prepared waxed paper. Let them set for about 5 minutes ~ caramel will still be sticky to the touch. You can now add your sprinkles and candy eyeballs. If you decorate too soon the candies may melt off. 

This is how our caramel apples came out ~ my kids were so proud of them!!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. I'd love to see your photos of the caramel apples you made ~ whether it was for this year or in years past. Also, if you have any tips how to make better caramel apples please share them with all of us. What other traditions do you have for the Halloween holiday? 

Hope you have a Super Great Day!!!

xoxo,

                                                         

• Wednesday, October 12, 2011
• apples

*Tutorial* Caramel Apples

Do you make caramel apples this time of year? I haven't made them since I was a child and my daughter wanted to take them for a class project. 

Here are the supplies you'll need:

Caramels {one bag will cover about 5 medium apples}

Apples ~ we used Granny Smith

Colored sprinkles ~ anything to decorate the apples with 

Cookie Sticks or you can use Popsicle sticks

Candies {Candy Eyeballs and Skittles}

Butter

1/4 Cup Water

Waxed Paper

We found these cute and fun Candy Eyeballs by Wilton to add to our caramel apples. They made our apples come to "life". 

OK, first and foremost you MUST take a sheet of waxed paper and coat it with butter {make sure you put a lot of butter on the paper ~ if you don't the apples will stick} and there is nothing worse than seeing a child cry because the apples stuck to the waxed paper so badly it ripped the paper. Place the buttered waxed paper on a cookie sheet or if you have to transport them place them into the carrier of your choice ~ just make sure it will fit in the refrigerator.

Once you have buttered the paper, wash and dry your apples thoroughly {they should be at room temperature because caramel tends to slip off chilled apples}. Insert a stick into each apple. 

Empty the bag of caramels and add 1/4 cup of water into a microwave safe bowl. 

Microwave for approximately 1 minute on high ~ uncovered. Heat again for an additional 30-45 seconds or until caramels are melted and stir until smooth. 

Dip each apple into the caramel mix, turning to coat. We also used a spoon to help coat the apples. Take a spoon or knife to scrap the additional caramel off the bottom of the apples. Place on your prepared waxed paper. Let them set for about 5 minutes ~ caramel will still be sticky to the touch. You can now add your sprinkles and candy eyeballs. If you decorate too soon the candies may melt off. 

This is how our caramel apples came out ~ my kids were so proud of them!!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. I'd love to see your photos of the caramel apples you made ~ whether it was for this year or in years past. Also, if you have any tips how to make better caramel apples please share them with all of us. What other traditions do you have for the Halloween holiday? 

Hope you have a Super Great Day!!!

xoxo,

                                                         

Read more »

Hello & Happy Monday!!! I thought I'd share our home Halloween decorations with you.

This BOO pinata sits above our refrigerator. 

This table greets our guests. I placed the spider web tablecloth, which was used for our Girl's Night Out Halloween Collection ~ purchased at Michaels. Added the fun green glittered pumpkins from Pier 1 Imports; black glittered chandelier also from Michaels and a dimensional black tree decorated with purple, green and orange ornaments. I also placed the purple spider webs and large furry spiders on the walls around the mirror. 

{Before Bling.....}

{After Bling..........Love it} Back in September my friend, Jessica from Pen n' Paper Flowers made these adorable Glam Spiders and we wanted to add some glam of our own to our web and spider!!

Closer view of the spider ~ here you can see the colors of  the spider as well as the bling we added. 

Had to add our BOO Banner from our HallowBoo Collection!! Found these great wooden boxes from Hobby Lobby one has orange polka dots and the other has a spider web on the sides of it. I placed small black glitter pumpkins from Michaels on top. You can't really see it, but the pumpkin next to our photo is black with orange crackle paint and a spider on top also from Michaels. 

Can't have Halloween without spiders!! We hung the large spider on the edge of the mantel ~ he just hangs there. The kids haven't bothered it at all ~ Yet!! 

On the floor of our fireplace sits a spooky haunted house!!

Above our front door we have this fantastic large window which holds this fabulous orange spider wed!! My  kids can't wait until it's dark enough to turn it on!!! I'd love to see your home Halloween decorations! Please share!!

You can order all your Halloween Party Decor here!!!

Have a Super Great Day!!!

xoxo,

                                                         

• Monday, October 10, 2011
• 2011

My Halloween Home Decor

Hello & Happy Monday!!! I thought I'd share our home Halloween decorations with you.

This BOO pinata sits above our refrigerator. 

This table greets our guests. I placed the spider web tablecloth, which was used for our Girl's Night Out Halloween Collection ~ purchased at Michaels. Added the fun green glittered pumpkins from Pier 1 Imports; black glittered chandelier also from Michaels and a dimensional black tree decorated with purple, green and orange ornaments. I also placed the purple spider webs and large furry spiders on the walls around the mirror. 

{Before Bling.....}

{After Bling..........Love it} Back in September my friend, Jessica from Pen n' Paper Flowers made these adorable Glam Spiders and we wanted to add some glam of our own to our web and spider!!

Closer view of the spider ~ here you can see the colors of  the spider as well as the bling we added. 

Had to add our BOO Banner from our HallowBoo Collection!! Found these great wooden boxes from Hobby Lobby one has orange polka dots and the other has a spider web on the sides of it. I placed small black glitter pumpkins from Michaels on top. You can't really see it, but the pumpkin next to our photo is black with orange crackle paint and a spider on top also from Michaels. 

Can't have Halloween without spiders!! We hung the large spider on the edge of the mantel ~ he just hangs there. The kids haven't bothered it at all ~ Yet!! 

On the floor of our fireplace sits a spooky haunted house!!

Above our front door we have this fantastic large window which holds this fabulous orange spider wed!! My  kids can't wait until it's dark enough to turn it on!!! I'd love to see your home Halloween decorations! Please share!!

You can order all your Halloween Party Decor here!!!

Have a Super Great Day!!!

xoxo,

                                                         

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